Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?
So, I challenged my girls to see how many things they could find to get rid of today. I told them I’d pay them $0.25 for everything they got rid of.
They were highly motivated and went through their room, the toy closet, and the craft shelves and came up with this big box of items! We counted and there were 32 items in all! It’s amazing how a little incentive works so well! 🙂
How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!
Elaine says
I’m enjoying this very much! Where is the paragraph about modeling your wardrobe after your maternity one? Thank you so much.
Ashley W. says
It was easy as pie to get rid of seven more things! In fact, I was so eager to get rid of them, I didn’t even get a picture… 🙂
Allison says
I just recycled some old papers, receipts and a magazine 🙂 If each piece counts, there were definitely more than 7.
Carol@simple_catholic says
That’s awesome! I’ll have to try that with my son. 🙂 It will have to wait until next week, though. I have a a HUGE biology final exam coming up and I have to do some major studying, therefore I will have to jump into the challenge next week…
Tricia says
This challenge is perfect!!! I threw all the old magazines in the recycling box yesterday…way more than 7. Today I cleaned out my pj drawer…9 items. Both days I have cleaned out things I have been thinking about doing for months. It probably would have been a few more months until I got to them, if not for this challenge. THANK YOU!!!!
Shannon says
Thanks for this motivation! I insist that I don’t need ‘things’, yet my house is ridiculously cluttered! We just did a yard sale last week, so I wasn’t sure how much I would find, but I found 7 things pretty quickly. Today, instead of 7 things, I worked in my office for 7 minutes (and then some!) If you count all the papers I recycled, I’m way over 7, so that’s a good thing. I may try doing the quarter thing with my kids this weekend to get rid of items! Thanks for the idea!
Maura says
I finally pulled out 2 big boxes of “yard sale items” to donate to a friend who is raising money for an adoption. I’m sure there were many more than 7 items! Now I’m scouring the house for more to give to her for the sale.
SharingMom says
I purged 6 VHS tape (I never did get those abs of steel…) and 1 book. I will be donating all my items at the end of the month to the local Battered Women’s Shelter Thrift Store. They will give me a tax receipt and I will use it for a tax deduction next year!
SharingMom says
I’m purged 6 VHS tape (I never did get those abs of steel…) and 1 book. I will be donating all my items at the end of the month to the local Battered Women’s Shelter Thrift Store. They will give me a tax receipt and I will use it for a tax deduction next year!
Jennifer says
I know this is only the second day but so far I’m really enjoying this challenge.
Getting rid of seven things a day was harder than I expected for the first day. It’s not that I don’t have stuff to get rid of, it’s my mentality–“maybe I’ll need it someday.”
At the same time, once I’d filled a bag with seven things and got rid of it–a few donations, the rest in the trash, I felt a big sense of accomplishment, like I was clearing my way to a more organized, efficient life. I should also note that while I was gathering my seven pieces of clutter for day two, I realized I need to be much more careful about what I bring into my house and thus my life. I was expecting this challenge to be just about cleaning house but it’s already given me perspective.
Thanks for launching this Crystal.
Crystal says
Oh yay! I’m so glad to hear!
Liz S. says
Wow, that’s a lot of stuff! I kept to my 7 things. Every little bit helps!
Theresa says
I finally got rid of the accessories from the two blenders that broke a few months ago. Feels nice to reclaim that cupboard space again!
Cecee says
Hi! I’ve been reading this site for months, but this is my first comment & challenge. I am going to be out of my home for 5 days of the month so I will try to make up for it by cleaning out and getting rid of things on the weekends.
Today I cleaned out my side tables and coffee table drawers and tossed:
1. Various pieces of old paper Trash (receipts, notes, old grocery lists, etc)
2. Dog toys that were torn and ripped and put in the drawers for no apparent reason.
3. Staples that would only fit in a miniature stapler that I broke several months ago
4. A plastic container with a hole in it
5. Old study material (from when I was hired at my new job a year ago)
6. Dead batteries
7. 2 miniature bottles of lotion with hardly anything left in them.
What amazed me is that we threw these things in drawers because we were too lazy to get up and walk to the trash can. Shame shame shame
Laura says
My husband’s business cards from his former employer (they fired him unceremoniously 9 months ago and it felt GREAT to toss those into the recycling bin!)
A broken flashlight
An old comforter with a giant hole in it
A bag of shirts/socks/etc with holes in them
A very ratty old pair of sneakers
A water bottle shaped like a baseball
Best of all- a lamp that sparked out and nearly caught my bed on fire; we cut the cord off and then it stood in our garage for months until today when I hauled it to a dumpster!
Thanks for the motivation!!!!! This is going to be great!
Melodee Brymer says
Well I did get rid of things, but not the way I intended. Seems I’ve had a small leak under my kitchen sink for some time and didn’t know it. Never opened the door to that side until last night. There was a pan under there full of yucky water that was overflowing, so the bottom of my cabinet was soaked and everything was gross.
Today I cleaned it out and threw stuff away that I never used (obviously since I never looked in that side). Got a fan blowing on it to dry it out and I’ll add some type of mat and maybe store some of my bigger pots there after my husband fixes the sink. I’ve made some natural cleaning supplies that are in a couple of spray bottles, so they don’t take up much room. The bulk supplies are in my pantry/storage room.
Cleaned out my spice cabinet last night. Got rid of old stuff that was clumped together. Forgot to keep a tally but I know that both times it was well over 7 items.
Tomorrow, the cabinet with all the plastic bowls and lids. If neither have a mate, out they go. This has actually been fun seeing other peoples posts to help motivate me. Thanks.
Rose Atwater says
I’m a little late to get started on the challenge tonight, but I sold one thing out of our shed earlier this evening (its ‘been there for 3 years unused) and I just quickly gathered up 8 things in just a few minutes!
Linda says
I cleaned out my master bedroom and got rid of 10+ items. An old bathrobe, computer bag, toy, purse, coat, some shirts, and a couple of knick-knacks to donate, and a shoebox, catalog, and various paper items to recycle. Also, I dusted, vacuumed, and straightened while I went. Day 1, check!
Michelle King says
I have a small pile of clothes (15 items) that are now posted for sale…if there are no bites within 4 weeks, they get donated 🙂
Yolando says
I needed this challenge. Great information.
Ginger says
My seven items for today, which I took a picture of and posted on my Facebook. One friend said she wanted to/needed to join in after she saw my post.
1. Broken glass toilet paper holder.
2. Pair of too-small flip-flops.
3. Decorative wooden ball thing.
4. Glass jar that once held some stuff grape leaves.
5. Purple hair shampoo to counter brassy blonde colored hair — at least 12 years old!
6. Bottle of iodine that had leaked all over my bathroom cabinet. 🙁
7. Old PUR water filtration jug that I no longer use.
Amy-Marie says
First thing this morning my husband pulled an old, bent frying pan out from the stove drawer, waved it at me and told me it looked like I needed to throw a few things away. I had to laugh at him as I told him I was doing this challenge. Got rid of the frying pan and many other things from the stove drawer and the cupboard above the stove. Love to see a bit more room in my cupboard!
Patty says
7 books that my daughter has long since outgrown. Bagged up and in the car to go a co-worker who has a toddler.
Started a box for Goodwill: 4 canning jars with rings; an old tea set that I don’t like and never use.
Jana says
With several birthday parties and weddings coming up, I dug into my wrapping paper bin to prepare gifts. I remembered this month’s clutter challenge. So I took everything out of the bin, threw away crumpled/torn wrap and bags, donated holiday specific wrap I don’t need, and reorganized what remained. I’m not sure how many things I got rid of (it was quite a few!), but it is now so much easier to find what I need!!
Amber says
What a good idea, Jana! My giftwrap area is such a mess and I never think to go through it. 🙂
Sarah says
OK I only had a few minutes today, but I found 7 things: 2 pairs of old jeans, 2 old t-shirts, 2 hats, and a purse. It’s a start!
Marilyn Ueno says
Don’t have a blog, but I do have a list of what I got rid of today:
1. One bottle of body lotion
2. One valentine game
3. One sheet
4. Magazines
5. Fabric scraps
6. Car floor mats
7. Family room couch
Amber says
I did most of it, but my kids helped a little bit too. We are getting ready for a garage sale the third weekend of this month so we did the kid’s rooms today. We came up with a large tote full of stuff to sell. We also had about 7 small bags of trash to throw away. I feel so much better after just doing their rooms!
Tassie says
I tried to do it fast… went to my closet… thought I would whip out 7 things fast…. I was too attached… ended up with a couple of pieces of clothing… and some gift bags…. I will be better tomorrow!!
April M. says
I love this challenge. Today:
Donated to an animal shelter tag sale:
Trunk organizer
binder
CD visor holder
another CD visor holder
stuffed bunny
maze ball toy
table hockey game
Gave to a friend:
Coupons
Hannah says
I did it!!
4 books
2 old t-shirts recycled into toilet cleaning rags to throw away after one use (which I learned from another reader on this site)
1 pile of unused linens (contained 3 individual articles)
So excited to see how my house looks by the end of the month! Thank you so much for hosting this challenge, Crystal!
DeeDee says
I got a bag of a dozen or so items from my health and beauty box (aka, random half used stuff I will never again really use) and even got rid of two old cosmetic bags.
Des says
oh yayyy! I am joining! My local salvation army even does free pickups, but usually only for a decent sized lot of stuff, and I have already started a pile!
Danielle says
I am already loving this challenge! Thanks, Crystal! And I love seeing everyone else’s progress, too. We only had about 5 minutes to look for items today (we were pushing dinner hour and I was behind already), but we found 16 or 17 items. Woo! Feels great. I can’t wait to see what a difference this challenge makes by month’s end. 🙂
jaclyn says
My kids would probably get rid of everything for 25 cents. Should I just let them? Advice?
Des says
I heard this story from my dad, he said he once had my brothers (I was older) make a pile of old toys, they didn’t want to give them up, but he took them to a boys home he knew of and asked permission to let them see the kids in the home get the toys. By the time they got home, they were wanting to give those kids their new toys. Or so the story goes! This isn’t exactly doable now days, but maybe finding a way to show the kids that others could really really use or appreciate the things might help?
Carrie says
I work at a facility that has children in residential care. I bring in old toys all the time and take donations from others also. Very much appreciated.
Sharon says
I have literally pulled hundreds of items from my house over the last 6 months for a garage sale in June, but am not done yet so this will help me add to my massive pile. Found 4 pair of hubby’s work shoes he never wears, glasses case, video game and bracelet!!
HokieKate says
I finally, FINALLY, took care of our plastic and paper recycling piles. I dropped off about eight bags of plastic and three boxes of paper at the recycling center. My laundry room looks so much better.
FMR says
Donated a box of clothes, not sure how many items, to an organization that sets up formerly homeless families in apartments. Tomorrow: Return to Kohls items that still have price tags on them.
Jessica M says
Love this challenge! With our first baby due in July we really need to purge! We really need to find the space for all the baby stuff coming in :/ I guess it will be less of a de-clutter and more of a baby re-clutter haha!
Julie says
For someone who has a hard time getting rid of clutter (I always think I will need it some day…) I got rid of 7 things. Figured if I started with the big things while the challenge seems easy, I can do the smaller things towards the end! This is my list:
2 large skillets
1 wok
1 crock pot (bought a new one, but this still works, although not great, but I still kept it…)
1 picnic cooler/carrier
1 karaoke machine(my daughter is now 19…)
1 teapot
I can’t wait until tomorrow!
Karen says
2 old phones, cell phone case, book, model motorcycle, picture frame, long handle dust pan, shredded stack of papers.
Brenda says
What a great “small amount each day” idea. So much less daunting than “go through your whole house and get rid of everything you don’t need”.
Crystal says
😉 I find bite-sized pieces to be so much more manageable than tackling a huge project at once!
{I think you often, by the way! Hope you’re doing well!}
Em says
Got rid of leftovers in the fridge and some paper work last night as it was garbage night so I am counting that for todays 7.
Andrea @the Distracted Housewife.com says
After getting rid of 20 items a day during the month of February I had a hard time finding even 7 today. Somehow I managed though and I am going to try and make a plan of action for the rest of the month so I am not wandering so aimlessly looking for items.
Crystal says
That’s a really good problem to have; I’m proud of you!
Debbie says
My son & I cleared out a lot – some for garage sale & some in trash. A drop in the bucket! More tomorrow!
@mommyflaws says
I got rid of tons of paper clutter! Also, I was able to get rid of an outgrown car seat, which has been sitting in my front entry for about a month. Yes, that is correct, I have been stepping around the car seat everyday for a month! Phew, glad it’s gone.
Maureen says
I got rid of 9 things — 5 of my husband’s shirts — he has approx 50 shirts and he wears them all! — and 4 broken lawn chairs. Well I hope the lawn chairs will be gone. I put them in my car so my husband can take my car to work tomorrow and throw them in the dumpster at work.
I’m enjoying this challenge and hopefully it will help me clean junk out!
Mary Ann says
I’ve been decluttering a lot lately so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do this every day for a month but I gathered 7 things today–a shirt, basket, puzzle, toy, 3 children’s books we never read!
Into my yard sale pile they go!
Missy says
Ok, need to respond and actually do it! will clutter bust today by sun down..
Patty says
It is hard to believe the things we keep for no reason. Going through my clothes closet found 10 items so far and I know I will be adding to that pile . Will be donating them to the homeless shelter or to the church rummage sale. Tomorrow I will continue!!!!! I am on a mission!
Kara says
Got rid of 12 things..I’m trying to go over since I will be out of the country for 10 days at the end of the month! Got rid of old cords for phones we don’t even have anymore (even though we just moved we somehow still had them!!!), old phone cases, marriage books that we weren’t fans of, stickers, old pictures that are terrible quality, old lotion/lip gloss/cuticle oil, some of my bookmarks for garage sale, and a dress for a garage sale. Hope to hit up the jewelry box tomorrow, that should have a lot in there too 🙂
Kellie Schroeder says
This is going to be so much fun!
Dana says
Decided to participate in this challenge! Day 1 weeded out the following items:
Toy fire hydrant – donate
Barnes & Noble giftcard – regift
T-shirt – donate
Lamp – donate
Notecard I’ve been meaning to write – written and mailed
Papers from old Bible studies – weeded and recycled
Craft project – donate
Looking forward to what else I can get rid of!
Michelle E. says
Day 1 is done! I think I’ll get my kids involved in the challenge too! Today I got rid of: kid’s clothes, a broken cup, junk mail, a broken storage bin lid, old boots, an empty medicine box and a gum case. Why I had most of these things, I have no idea, lol.
Thanks for starting this challenge, I really need it!
Mel says
I tackled my sock/delicates drawer and got rid of 7 things, plus sent a bunch of singleton socks to the rag bag, discovered a bunch of gym socks shoved in a back corner, and found my swimsuit! The latter two finds saved me around $75 since I don’t have to purchase new items now. 🙂
Shelly says
The kids helped me go through the dog toys to get them down to a manageable amount that will fit into the dogs’ boxes. We also found a couple of items that I have no idea how they got into there.
Carol Coots says
I took to Goodwill 10 pairs of new winter socks. I have never wore then for over 5 years. It was time they go. I am also making my house paperless. It is a monumental task. I get rid of more and more everyday and it feels good to see all the paper go.
Misti O. says
We got busy for about an hour today finding things to donate to our church’s garage sale this weekend. I’m not sure how many items it was but I know we got rid of 2 garbage bags of clothes, 2 paper grocery bags of books, a tricycle, 12 fishing poles & a bag of hangers. Felt good!!!
Donna B says
Trying my best to get this house cleaned up….the sooner I get our bedroom cleaned the sooner we can REPAINT!!!!!
Carrie says
Thanks for this challenge. I worked on decluttering some of our baby clothes and the closet in our guest bedroom. I threw away quite a few things (didn’t count) and also found pictures that I had been storing in the closet. I was able to hang a few on the wall. 🙂
Ashley W. says
I got rid of 7 things!
I love this challenge; it was perfect timing for me, and thank you for hosting.
I’m new to link-ups and wasn’t able to figure out how to put the clutter-busting image in my blog in a way that it would take you straight back to the link…
Steph says
I gladly accept your challenge. This is gonna be great!
Elizabeth says
I got rid of over 50 recipe cards in my recipe box. Never made them, and with picky kids probably never will. Also donated a cookbook I never use.
Patti says
I threw 8 things away!!!! Will challenge my girls to do the same tonight. Nothing to donte yet, everything came from my bathroom.
erin says
Wow! Great idea to pay them, I will have to try that with my kids.
I got rid of 121 items but since I only focused on my junk drawer there were a lot of small items. I don’t think I can get rid of that many items each day. I’m aiming for 7!
Slides 'n Sandboxes says
I don’t know if it’s just me but one of the linked up sites – The Frugal Ashlock’s comes up as a dangerous site. Thought I’d let others know – just in case it’s not just me.
I am still working on my seven. For some reason I tend to think that seven has to be something big, when it could be a thimble.
Crystal, can you keep up with this challenge when today alone you got rid of stuff that could have lasted nearly 5 days? 🙂
Sherri says
I told my 6yo son to find 2 things that he can get rid of from his room. After 5 minutes, he came back with a lanyard. After 10 more minutes, he came back with a plastic ball. I suggested he find something bigger, so he looked in his toy area downstairs and came back with- a slightly larger plastic ball. I was hoping to have him find 1 thing each day this month- it’s going to be a LONG month.
Amy says
I’m going to do this with my kids today too… my daughter will have EVERYTHING she owns in a box to get rid of, my son might be able to find one thing… he absolutely HATES giving/selling his things! drives me crazy!
Katy @ Purposely Frugal says
I have 7 articles of clothing that don’t get worn. 6 to get rid of and one to be cut into rags and the buttons saved:
http://purposelyfrugal.com/2013/05/01/decluttering-day-1/#.UYF5f_HEv9Q
Debbie L. says
When my girls got home from school, I told all the kids about the challenge. They immediately went and found 6 things between them. I added one more. Three items went in the trash, 2 will go to the thrift store or on Freecycle, and one I’m going to try and sell in a Facebook group I’m in. If it doesn’t sell shortly, off to the thrift store or Freecycle it will go! We’re going to work hard to do this every day. 7 items makes it seem pretty doable :).
Carrie says
I emptied out 5 items from my medicine cabinet that were expired or I don’t use anymore.
I found 3 pairs of earrings that I can’t wear because of a nickel allergy and I don’t really care for either. They will be going to work to put in the kitchen with a free sign.
I also emptied out several boxes of snacks for the recycling container.
Katy C says
Are you reading Jen Hatmaker’s book 7? I’m just finishing up a book study on it – and thought it was perspective/life changing!
Carrie says
No but i am reading the joy of less. I just finished almost amish and serve god save the planet
Melissa says
I love that you incented your girls to help. What a great idea!
I got rid of 14 things today. And that was before I left for work this morning. I have a feeling I’ll be finding more when I get home and get back to organizing the bookcase I’m working on. 🙂 I love this challenge! Thank you!
Erica Lynn @ Optimal Health Consultant says
Well I have linked up and I feel great after my first day! The physical clutter I removed also cleared away some mental clutter. Now I can stop thinking about wither or not I should keep these silly items in case I need them later. 🙂
JeninCanada says
It’s only just turning 1pm here so I’ve got lots of time. 7 things, eh? I can do it!
JeninCanada says
Aaaand done! I found a bunch of shirts to give away or sell. 🙂
Raquel Evans says
I don’t know if I’ll get this done every day, but for today… I packed up a charming, but unfortunately large for my kitchen cookie jar painted by my grandmother so I can actually send it to my sister who will use it.
Also I decided that as much as I’d like to be, I’m not a magazine person, so I included 6 magazines for my mother, who is very much a magazine person.
Plus I threw away an expired coupon I found in the process, so that makes 8, right? 🙂
Carla Sorensen says
I am happy to say that I actually did this today. My things were totally random.
1. Cat nip package . . . Sorry kitties, it makes too much of a mess! Trash
2. Underware. . . No further comment. Trash
3. Pencil Case. Donation bag
4. Sweatshirt. Donation bag
5. Sweatshirt. Donation bag.
6. About 15 samples of conditioner. Donation bag.
7. All of my many expired coupons. Recycle bin.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and getting rid of at least 7 more things!
Sakura says
My 9 yo son and I are doing this challenge together. I’ve asked him to find 14 items each day. He struggled to find 7, I think I can see 200 more items but I’ll let him find those on his own. The 14 items I’m getting rid of today are 2 blackberry holsters, cotton candy machine, a box of old HBA items, 5 pieces of clothing, 5 books.
Since the thrift store is so close I am opting for taking these just about daily and dropping them off, out of sight out of mind!
sarah says
I wonder if a $0.25 incentive will be as motivating to my husband.
The Prudent Homemaker says
This made me bust up!
Jessica says
Yeah I also need to find an incentive that works on my DH…
Sarah says
Me too!!
Elise says
Hahaha! Great question!
Sandy says
Perhaps 25 minutes of your time for just him.
Angie@ Creating Our Home says
Haha! This made me laugh! It is like a reverse garage sale! 🙂
marie says
I went through the junk drawer in the kichen. I found 4 pairs of sunglasses, paper apples we never used, broken jibitz, and other random items that could go in the trash!
Anna says
My children are a lot better at getting rid of things than I am. So thanks for the reminder to get them to help out! Today I got rid of 45 items! Some magazines I didn’t read are current issues. I thought paired with chocolates and a card, these might be nice Mother’s Day gifts for my children’s teachers.
cheranne says
What a great idea! Who doesn’t like a good read and something yummy!
Elizabeth says
Skipping today but very cool! I got my girls to tackle their books last Sunday. They got rid of upwards of 50+ books! My husband has been taking the incentive to get them down to the library so we stop buying books LOL
Though when I say ‘get rid of’ we donated it to one of our friends who has 5 little ones underfoot.
I like the incentive idea though.
By the way I suggest maybe giving them away on your local freecycle or similar site before donating to Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul. There are a lot of people out there right now that can’t even afford places like that so freecycle and like sites are a wonderful way to give to people in the community.
Jessica says
I was a member of freecycle for 7 years until last fall, when a no-show person showed up 4 days later and stole some items off my porch that were not for her. The persona admitted to the theft through email. When I forwarded the email, the group moderator told me to “be nice and work it out.” I quit after that. I refuse to be part of a group that condones theft!
Elizabeth says
No shows do happen sadly but I arrange meeting places. It’s never good to have people meet you at your home.
Maia says
I didn’t have time to go through much today, so I took an easy one and culled 7 backyard toys that didn’t make it through the winter in one piece.
Crystal says
Hey, that works. Great job! 🙂
Jessica says
Well, in April I filled up 22 huge black trash bags of items to donate plus I gave away, sold, recycled or threw out a bunch too. You’d think that would have emptied my house of clutter, but there is more! Sad, isn’t it?!
Today I got rid of:
boy’s winter coat (I sure hope we don’t need a winter coat in May in Ohio) – donate
2 pairs of socks of my older daughter – trash
bag of buttons- donate
baby dress & pantaloons set- donate
broken reusable bag- trash
boy’s swim trunks (why did I have 3 in the same size for my son???) – donate
Crystal says
Great job!
Organize365 says
I am SUPER excited about this challenge, but instead of BLOGGING about it each day I am just going to put my picture from my phone on my Organize 365 Facebook Group and
Organize 365 Facebook Page
I am hoping that will make it easier for me to do the challenge and my readers to join me!
🙂
Lisa
Crystal says
Either way works great! Thanks for joining us!
Victoria says
You children did an amazing job! I stuck to just 7. However once of my friends on facebook did 26, and sold 10 of them in her towns auction website.
Organize365 says
What is a town auction website?
Victoria says
Well really I should have said “facebook page”. Where we live they are pretty popular. They work a lot like Craigs List except they have an auction component to them like eBay. You upload a picture of your item and then list the starting price and the time you are going to end the auction, and then it goes to the highest bidder. I have yet to do it, but I have some friends who make great money reselling their items this way. You meet the winner in the parking lot of Walmart or Target or whatever just as long as it is a public place for safety of both buyer and seller.
Elizabeth says
We have 2 free sites on facebook like this for people to give things away, an auction site, a garage sale site, a $50 and under, a….. yeah we’ve got like 20 facebook sites for an area of under 60k LOL
If anyone can’t find one in their area maybe they should start one up. They get popular fast. 🙂